Apparatus for finishing lamps



June 29, 1965 e. E. ALGATT ETAL' APPARATUS FOR FINISHING LAMPS Filed June 2. 11961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HIGH SURGE INVENTUFPS G. E. ALGATT .ETAL

APPARATUS FOR FINISHING LAMPS- June 29, 1965 Filed June' 2. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTU/ E E! E. FILG'Q'T'T TTUFQNE United States Patent New York Filed June 2, 1961, Ser. No. 114,438

8 Claims. (Cl. 316-27) This invention relates to systems for finishing lamps, and in particular to a system for finishing switchboard lamps used in telephone communication equipment.

Initially, in the manufacture of switchboard lamps, there is a forming of the filaments, mounting of the leads thereon, the positioning of the leads and filaments in glass bulbs, and the exhausting and sealing of the bulbs to produce what are defined herein as finished lamp bulbs.

To finish the lamps, beginning with the finished lamp bulbs, terminals for the lamps must be formed of suitable conductive material such as metal strips, provided with conductive cement on one of its surfaces and mounted in their respective positions on opposing sides of each lamp bulb and, through the conductive cement, to form electrical connections with the filament leads extending from the bulb. Furthermore, the outer ends of the terminals which have diagonal positions with respect to the centerline of the lamp bulb, must be supported to withstand the subsequent action of inserting the lamp into a socket and to assure the necessary electrical connections in the socket. In the present instance, this is accomplished by the depositing of a dielectric cement on the upper end of the lamp bulb and beneath the ends of the terminals for joining the latter with former. At this point, although the lamps may be finished structurally from one point of view, they are not finished so as to be accepted for use until they travel through a long baking area wherein the cements are hardened, a cooking area, a short high surge circuit, a filament aging area and a final test, before they can be packaged for shipment and later use.

The cost of manufacturing articles of this type is always a point of great consideration, yet these features, in order to have a completely automatic system of finishing the lamps, presented numerous problems in that slow baking and cooling actions, as well as slow aging actions, had to be interposed between [other act-ions which were more rapid in order to have a completely automatic system of finishing the lamps.

The object of the present invention is a completely automatic, highly efficient, and rapid system for finishing lamps beginning with finished lamp bulbs.

In accordance with the object, the invention is concerned is concerned with apparatus for finishing lamps beginning with finished lamp bulbs of definite structures located in given numbers and at like spaced positions in series of like bars. The apparatus includes a track for the bars which extends through an operating area where operating units are mounted and operated, in timed relation with means for advancing the bars intermittently on the track, to form and mount terminals on the bulbs at opposing sides thereof.

More specifically, the apparatus includes also means for successively feeding the bars, loaded with the finished lamp bulbs, laterally into alignment with the track. Subsequently the advancing means for the bars will move several bars simultaneously through the operating area, each bar being intermittently moved a distance equal to that extending between the centers of two lamp bulb positions in the bars. During passage through the operating area, the operating units function to form and mount the terminals, and to apply quantities of conductive cement on inner surfaces thereof. Another operating unit functions to deposit a dielectric cement on the upper end of ice the bulbs to maintain and support the upper ends of the terminals spaced from each other. The bars are longitudinally advanced every second through the operating area and the operating units perform their functions during this portion of the cycle. However, other areas to follow require slow movement of the lamps therethrough including a baking area and a cooling area and to accomplish this result, the bars are moved laterally into and through these areas. Other intermediate areas, wherein slower actions are taken on the lamps, are controlled by lateral movements of the bars. These slow moving areas do not disturb the fast moving operating area nor a subsequent testing and package area due to the fact that each bar supports 32 lamps thereby permitting the lamp bulbs in each bar to receive fast action through the operating area with longitudinal movement of one second per operating cycle for each unit in the operating area, whereas the required slow movement of the lamps through intermediate areas is accomplished by moving the bars laterally thereby allowing the bars to remain 32 seconds at each rest interval between movements which are substantially equal to the width of each bar.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 when combined, as shown in FIG. 3, will illustrate a top plan view of the system for finishing lamps;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one of the bars;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of one of the bars after the mounting of the first terminal;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of one of the bars after the mounting of the second terminal; and

FIG. 7 illustrates the vertical sectional view of a bar after the depositing of the dielectric cement.

In this apparatus of finishing lamps, numerous bars of the type illustrated in FIG. 4 and shown in detail in applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 114,441, filed June 2, 1961, now Patent 3,117,776, are used. The bars are identical and provided with vertical spacers 10 mounted on a body 11 to equally space areas for finished bulbs 12. In the present instance, the body 11 is formed of a suitable material such as aluminum and is provided with parallel grooves 14 for receiving conductive elements 15 which are insulated from the body in any suitable manner, not shown. Opposing ends of the conductive elements 15 have curved portions 16 adaptable for connection with conductive strips of predetermined circuits 78 and 82, later described in more detail, thereby permitting the lamp bulb filaments 20 to be connected therewith. This is accomplished through contact of each bars resilient integral members 17 which extend upwardly from the conductive elements 15 along opposing sides of each lamp bulb, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, inclusive. Each resilient member 17 ultimately makes contact with the lamps terminals 37 which contact externally extending free ends 18 of leads 19 which are connected to the filameat 20 within a lamp.

The bars with the finished lamp bulbs disposed therein are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but it should be understood that the bars are loaded with the lamp bulbs when they are placed on a conveyor 21 in a feeding area 22 where they will be advanced laterally until they strike stops 24 and are caused to be in alignment with a track 25. In actual practice, the track 25 is of such a length that five bars will be longitudinally advanced intermittently through suitable drive means 26, shown more in detail in applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 114,440, filed June 2, 1961, now Patent 3,099,348. 3,099,348.

The moving means is associated with apertures 27 formed in the bar bodies 11 and is accessible to feeding pins, not shown, adapted to act on each of the five bars through the aid of the drive means 26 to advance the five bars each second a distance equal to the length between the centers of the apertures. Not only is the dis tance between centers of the apertures in each bar identical, but the distance between the centers of the apertures located at the ends of each bar is equal to one-half this aforementioned distance so that when the bars abut each other end to end, there is a continuation of like distances between the apertures extending through a plurality of bars regardless of the number advancing through an operating area 30.

As soon as the bar in the foremost position moves out of the feeding area 22, all of the bars in the feeding area advance to permit another loaded bar to be fed onto the conveyor. Actually, the drive 33 for the conveyor is of the friction slip type. The next bar assuming the foremost position will be aligned with the track 25 and subsequently picked up by the feeding means 26, and added to those bars on the track for advancement through the operating area. This completes the automatic feeding of the bars loaded with finished lamp bulbs to the track laterally so that the bars may be advanced longitudinally of the track one position during each second.

There are two identical operating units identified by numbers 35 and 36 respectively, as shown in more detail in applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 114,439, filed June 2, 1961, now Patent 3,079,666, for completing terminals 37 and 38 and mounting the terminals on the lamp bulbs.' The terminals for each unit 35 and 36 are pre-formed through the aid of a punch and die from a metallic strip and prior to the partially formed terminals of each strip reaching the'finishing operation, they are provided with a quantity of conductive cement 39 and 40 on the inner surfaces thereof for connection to the bulb 12.

The pre-forming operations on the terminals and the application of the quantities of conductive cement, may be applied at previous intervals but the final forming of the diagonal ends 41 and 42, the cutting of the finally formed terminals from the strips, and the mounting of the terminals in the position shown in FIGS. and 6, are completed within the interval of the one-second cycling of the bars.

A unit 45 disposed in the operating area is operated in timed relation with the advancing means for the bars on track 25 such that during each interval of rest, a quantity of dielectric cement 46 is released from the unit 45 onto a lamp disposed therebeneath. The cement drops upon the upper end' 47 of the bulb and contacts the undersurfaces of the ends 41 and 42 to maintain these ends spaced from each other, and to give them support when the finished lamp is inserted in a lamp socket.

Each loaded bar passes from track 25 onto a conveyor 48 which is illustrated as a pair of endless chains supported by pairs of sprockets 50 and 51. Suitable means such as air motors 52"a'rid 53 under the control of circuits, not shown, are operated by a switch 54 which is actuated by a bar exiting from track 25 causing operation of an advancing means to move the conveyor a distance equal to the width of a bar. Through the aid of guides 55, the bars are moved laterally every 32 seconds to advance all preceding bars into and through an oven 56. The oven is provided with suitable heating means, not shown, so that during a period of several minutes, while the bars are advanced slowly through the oven, the conductive and dielectric cements are baked. After leaving the oven 56, the bars with their lamps move through a cooling area 60 where suitable means 61 is operated continuously to cool the lamps and the bars. w

Another area 62 is mounted in the same plane as the other areas previously defined and is parallel with the baking area and the cooling area. Suitable means, including a pushing finger 63 supported by piston rods 64 and 65 of air cylinders 66 and 67 is caused to move from its normal position, shown in FIG. 1, a distance equaling the length of a bar. Accordingly, each successive bar is moved from the exit end of the cooling area 60 toward the entrance end of the area 62. This advancing means may be responsive to a switch or any other suitable means (not shown) to cause air cylinder 66 to operate to move the pushing finger to the left, to advance the bar from area 60. At the end of its stroke, switch 69 is operated to return the finger 63 to its normal position. A guide 70 extends between the exit end of the area 60 and the entrance end of the area 62 and is of sufficient length to receive a plurality of bars, for example, three, therealong.

Eventually, the bar leaving the exit end of the area 60 will be moved into the entrance end of the area 62 Whereupon it will strike a switch 72 to cause an air cylinder 73 to move through an operating cycle to move a wedgetype cam 74 relative to a companion element 75. In turn a push bar 76 is caused to move the distance of the width of a bar, thereby advancing each bar successively out of the entrance of the area 62 and to advance all of the bars in this area laterally every 32 seconds.

During a first series of these lateral movements in a first portion of the treating area the bars will be moved successively into engagement with contacts 77 such that the curved ends 16 of the conductive elements 15 will connect the lamps individually in parallel in a high surge electrical current circuit 78 for 32 seconds or for a shorter length of time, if desired, in which instance the circuit 78 may be provided with a time control unit 80. Eventually, the bars will be moved into engagement with contact strips 81, in a second portion of the treating area, which will connect each lamp in parallel in a filament aging circuit 82 causing the filaments to burn over a desired long length of time as the bars continue their advancemcnt every 32 seconds through the area 62. The length of aging time may be varied by varying the lengths of the conductive strips 81.

When the bars, in moving through the area 62, reach an exit end 83 of this area, a switch 84 will be operated by each bar reaching this position causing operation of an air cylinder 85 which engages the near end of each bar and pushes it toward a track 86 whereupon an advancing means similar to that Shown at 26 for the bars in the track 25 may move the bar longitudinally onto and along the track 86. This advancing means may include one or more pins 87 movable upwardly one of the apertures 27 at each position in the bar and then moved longitudinally relative .to the track 86 to advance the bar every second and eventually move it out of the exit end 83.

A testing wheel 90, shown more in detail in applicants co-pending-application, Serial No. 114,437, filed June 2, 1961, has apertures 91 to receive the lamps singly from the bars through the aid of a unit 92 which moves the lamps successively from each bar and inserts them singly in the apertures 91. The wheel is intermittently indexed to align each loaded aperture into a receiving position adjacent the unit 92 by a driven one-toothed gear 93 whereat each lamp is given a final test by a unit 94. The lamps are finally ejected from the wheel by a unit 95 and caused to pass through a guide 96 and through outside diameter gages (not shown) to a wrapping unit 97 whereat the lamps are packaged either singly or in groups. The diameter gages are adapted to eject all lamps which are too large for use.

The empty bars advance along the track 86 through the advancing means 8'7 or through the aid of a similar additional advancing means until they finally reach an entrance end 98 of a storage area 99 whereat a switch 100 is contacted by the bar at this position causing the operation of an air motor 101 which moves through an operating cycle to move the empty bar into the storage area a distance of the width of the bar.

Operation At the start of the operation of the system of finishing lamps, several of the areas may remain idle, but eventually the entire system is filled with bars, each area functioning separately but in timed relation so that there will be a completely automatic operation from start to finish in performing the functions in each area according to the times required. Assuming, therefore, that the entire system is filled with bars, attention is directed to the feeding area 22 where the bars filled with finished lamp bulbs 12 are fed into the feeding area on the conveyor 21. The conveyor 21 is under the control of bars moving end to end longitudinally through the operating area and the moment the trailing end of the last bar on the track 25 leaves the feeding area 22, a new bar is fed into position every second to join the other bars on the track to continue longitudinal advancement of the bars in the operating area. This rapid advancement is linked with the operation of the units 35, 36, and '45 so that the terminals 37 and '38 are formed, provided with their conductive cement 39 and 4t), and mounted at their area 62, where the moving means 73, 74, 75 and 76 causes the bars to move laterally every 32 seconds through the area 62. At one position, each lamp in each bar is connected in parallel in the high surge circuit 78 and later connected in parallel in the lament aging circuit 82.

After leaving the area 62 and arriving at the exit end 83 thereof, each bar is intermittently advanced longitudinally every second onto and along the track 86 so that eventually the lamps may be successively removed from each bar and inserted in successive apertures 91 of the Wheel 90. Herethe lamps receive their final test from unit $4 and are either ejected from the wheel and discarded if they fail the test, or are ejected from the wheel by unit 95 and guided into the packaging unit 97. The empty bars continue to the storage area and when they enter the entrance end d8 of this area, the advancing unit 101 is operated to move them laterally into the area. From the storage area 99, the bars may be removed to any suitable position, not shown, where they may be reloaded with finished lamp bulbs and replaced in the feeding area to start a new cycle through the system for finishing lamps.

It is to be understood that the above described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for finishing lamps each of which includes a bulb having a filament therein having ends extending to external opposing sides of the bulbs, and wherein the bulbs are supported by elongated bars having a plurality of pairs of resilient members for engaging the bulbs comprising:

a plurality of spaced operating positions,

a track extending adjacent the spaced operating positions,

means for successively feeding the bars laterally into axial alignment with the track,

means for intermittently moving the bars longitudinally along the track to the spaced operating positions,

means at first and second operating positions for mounting terminals on opposing sides of the bulb in electrical contact with the ends of the filament, the

outer surface of the terminals being in engagement with the resilient members,

further means at the first and second operating positions for supplying conductive cement onto the inner surface of the terminals,

means at a third operating position for applying dielectric cement on the upper end of the bulb to interconnect the upper end of the bulb with the terminals,

a conveyor mounted adjacent the exit end of the track for receiving the bars and extending a given distance therefrom and substantially perpendicular thereto, and

means responsive to the receipt of a bar on the conveyor for advancing the conveyor a distance equal to at least the width of the bar to provide sufficient space thereon for receiving a succeeding bar.

2. Apparatus for finishing lamps each of which includes a bulb having a filament therein having ends extending to external opposing sides of the bulbs, and

wherein the bulbs are supported by elongated bars hav- 7 ing a plurality of pairs of resilient members for engaging the bulbs comprising:

a plurality of spaced operating positions, a track extending adjacent the spaced operating positions, means for successively feeding the bars laterally into axial alignment with the track, means for intermittently moving the bars long tudinally along the track to the spaced operating positions, means at first and second operating positions for mounting terminals on opposing sidesof the bulb in electrical contact with the ends of the filament, the outer surface of the terminals being in engagement with the resilient members,

a further means at the first and second operating positions for supplying conductive cement onto the inner surface of the terminals, I

means at a third operating position for applying dielectric cement on the upper end of the bulb to interconnect the upper end of the bulb with the terminals,

a conveyor mounted adjacent the exit end of the track for receiving the bars and extending a given distance therefrom and substantially perpendicular thereto,

means responsive to the receipt of a bar on the conveyor for advancing the conveyor a distance equal to at least the width of the bar to provide sufficient space thereon for receiving a succeeding bar, and

a heated oven mounted with respect to the conveyor such that a given length of the conveyor extends through the oven for permitting each bar with the group of lamps therein a suificient time for drying the conductive and dielectric cements on the lamps.

3. Apparatus for finishing lamps each of which includes a bulb having a filament therein having ends extending to external opposing sides of the bulbs, and wherein the bulbs are supported by elongated bars having a plurality of pairs of resilient members for engaging the bulbs comprising:

a plurality of spaced operating positions, a track extending adjacent the spaced operating positions, means for successively feeding the bars laterally into axial alignment with the track, means for intermittently moving the bars longitudinally along the track to the spaced operating positions, means at first and second operating positions for mounting terminals on opposing sides of the bulb in electrical contact with the ends of the filament, the outer surface of the terminals being in engagement with the resilient members, further means at the first and second operating positions for supplying conductive cement onto the inner surface of the terminals,

means at a third operating position for applying dielectric cement on the upper end of the bulb to interconnect the upper end of the bulb with the terminals,

a conveyor mounted adjacent the exit end of the track for receiving the bars and extending a given distance therefrom and substantially perpendicular thereto,

means responsive to the receipt of a bar on the conveyor for advancing the conveyor a distance equal to at least the width of the bar to provide sufficient space thereon for receiving a succeeding bar,

a heated oven mounted with respect to the conveyor such that a given length of the conveyor extends through the oven for permitting each bar with the group of lamps therein a sufiicient time for drying the conductive and dielectric cements on the lamps,

an electrical treating area spaced from and disposed parallel to the conveyor, and

means operable for transferring the bars longitudinally from the conveyor to the electrical treating area.

4. Apparatus for finishing lamps each of which includes a bulb having a filament therein having ends extending to external opposing sides of the bulbs, and wherein the bulbs are supported by elongated bars having a plurality of pairs of resilient members for engaging the bulbs comprising:

a plurality of spaced operating positions,

a track extending adjacent the spaced operating positions,

means for successively feeding the bars laterally into axial alignment with the track,

means for intermittently moving the bars longitudinally along the track to the spaced operating positions,

means at first and second operating positions for mounting terminals on opposing sides of the bulb in electrical contact with the ends of the filament, the outer surface of the terminals being in engagement with the resilient members,

further means at the first and second operating positions for supplying conductive cement onto the inner surface of the terminals,

means at a third operating position for applying dielectric cement on the upper end of the bulb to interconnect the upper end of the bulb with the terminals,

a conveyor mounted adjacent the exit end of the track for receiving the bars and extending a given distance therefrom and substantially perpendicular thereto,

means responsive to the receipt of a bar on the conveyor for advancing the conveyor a distance equal to at least the width of the bar to provide sutficient space thereon for receiving a succeeding bar,

a heated oven mounted with respect to the conveyor such that a given length of the conveyor extends through the oven for permitting each bar with the group of lamps therein a sufficient time for drying the conductive and dielectric cements on the lamps,

an electrical treating area spaced from and disposed parallel to the conveyor,

a guide extending from a position adjacent the exit end of the conveyor to a position adjacent the entrance end of the treating area, and

means for advancing successive bars with the lamps thereon from the conveyor and along the guide into the entrance end of the treating area.

5. Apparatus for finishing lamps each of which includes a bulb having a filament therein having ends extending to external opposing sides of the bulbs, and wherein the bulbs are supported by elongated bars having a plurality of pairs of resilient members for engaging the bulbs comprising:

a plurality of spaced operating positions, a track extending adjacent the spaced operating positions, means for successively feeding the bars laterally into axial alignment with the track,

means for intermittently moving the bars longitudinally along the track to the spaced operating positions,

means at first and second operating positions for mounting terminals on opposing sides of the bulb in electrical contact with the ends of the filament, the outer surface of the terminals being in engagement with the resilient members,

further means at the first and second operating positions for supplying conductive cement onto the inner surface of the terminals,

means at a third operating position for applying dielectric cement on the upper end of the bulb to interconnect the upper end of the bulb with the terminals,

a conveyor mounted adjacent the exit end of the track for receiving the bars and extending a given distance therefrom and substantially perpendicular thereto,

means responsive to the receipt of a bar on the conveyor for advancing the conveyor a distance equal to at least the width of the bar to provide suflicient space thereon for receiving a succeeding bar,

a heated oven mounted with respect to the conveyor such that a given length of the conveyor extends through the oven for permitting each bar with the group of lamps therein a suificient time for drying the conductive and dielectric cements on the lamps,

an electrical treating area spaced from and disposed parallel to the conveyor,

a guide extending from a position adjacent the exit end of the conveyor to a position adjacent the entrance end of the treating area,

means for advancing successive bars with the lamps thereon from the conveyor and along the guide into the entrance end of the treating area,

a unit mounted adjacent the entrance end of the electrical treating area operable for moving the bars fed thereto laterally in said area a distance substantially equal to the width of a bar, and

means for operating said moving unit.

6. Apparatus for finishing lamps each of which includes a bulb having a filament therein having ends extending to external opposing sides of the bulbs, and wherein the bulbs are supported by elongated bars having a plurality of pairs of resilient conductive members for engaging the bulbs comprising:

a plurality of spaced operating positions, a track extending adjacent the spaced operating positions, means for successively feeding the bars laterally into axial alignment with the track, means for intermittently moving the bars longitudinally along the track to the spaced operating positions, means at first and second operating positions for mounting terminals on opposing sides of the bulb in electrical contact with the ends of the filament, the outer surface of the terminals being in engagement with the resilient members, further means at the first and second operating positions for'supplying conductive cement onto the inner surface of the terminals, means at a third operating position for applying dielectric cement on the upper end of the bulb to interconnect the upper end of the bulb with the terminals,

a conveyor mounted adjacent the exit end of the track for receiving the bars and extending a given distance therefrom and substantially perpendicular thereto,

means responsive to the receipt of a bar on the conveyor for advancing the conveyor a distance equal to at least the width of the bar to provide sufiicient space thereon for receiving a succeeding bar,

a heated oven mounted with respect to the conveyor such that a given length of the conveyor extends through the oven for permitting each bar with the group of lamps therein a suflicient time for drying the conductive and dielectric cements on the lamps,

an electrical treating area spaced from and disposed parallel to the conveyor,

a guide extending from a position adjacent the exit end of the conveyor to a position adjacent an entrance end of the treating area,

means for advancing successive bars with the lamps thereon from the conveyor and along the guide into the entrance end of the treating area,

a unit mounted adjacent the entrance end of the electrical treating area operable for moving the bars fed thereto laterally in said area a distance substantially equal to the width of a bar,

means for operating said moving unit, and

a high voltage circuit having conductive contacts in a portion of the electrical treating area for contacting the conductive members of the bars during predetermined intervals of time thereby subjecting each lamp in the bar to a high voltage surge of electrical energy.

7. Apparatus for finishing lamps each of which includes a bulb having a filament therein having ends extending to external opposing sides of the bulbs, and wherein the bulbs are supported by elongated bars having a plurality of pairs of resilient conductive members for engaging the bulbs comprising:

a plurality of spaced operating positions,

a track extending adjacent the spaced operating positions,

means for successively feeding the bars laterally into axial alignment with the track,

means for intermittently moving the bars longitudinally along the track to the spaced operating positions,

means at first and second operating positions for mounting terminals on opposing sides of the bulb in elec-- trical contact with the ends of the filament, the outer surface of the terminals being in engagement with the resilient members,

further means at the first and second operating positions for supplying conductive cement onto the inner surface of the terminals,

means at a third operating position for applying dielectric cement on the upper end of the bulb to interconnect the upper end of the bulb with the terminals,

a conveyor mounted adjacent the exit end of the track for receiving the bars and extending a given distance therefrom and substantially perpendicular thereto,

means responsive to the receipt of a bar on the conveyor for advancing the conveyor a distance equal to at least the width of the bar to provide suflicient space thereon for receiving a succeeding bar,

a heated oven mounted with respect to the conveyor such that a given length of the conveyor extends through the oven for permitting each bar with the group of lamps therein a sufiicient time for drying the conductive and dielectric cements on the lamps,

an electrical treating area spaced from and disposed parallel to the conveyor,

a guide extending from a position adjacent the exit end of the conveyor to a position adjacent the entrance end of the treating area,

means for advancing successive bars with the lamps thereon from the conveyor and along the guide into the entrance end of the treating area,

a unit mounted adjacent the entrance end of the electrical treating area operable for moving the bars fed thereto laterally in said area a distance substantially equal to the width of a bar,

means for operating said moving unit,

elongated conductive strips mounted in parallel relationship along the sides of a portion of the electrical testing area for contact with the resilient conductive members of the bars passing through said area, and

an electrical filament burning circuit connected to the id conductive strips and closed by contact with the resilient conductive members to connect the filament of each lamp in parallel with the circuit.

8. Apparatus for finishing lamps each of which includes a bulb having a filament therein having ends extending to external opposing sides of the bulbs, and wherein the bulbs are supported by elongated bars having a plurality of pairs of resilient conductive members for engaging the bulbs comprising: a

a plurality of spaced operating positions,

a first track extending adjacent the spaced operating positions,

means for successively feeding the bars laterally into axial alignment with the first track,

means for intermittently moving the bars longitudinally along the first track to the spaced operating positions,

means at first and second operating positions for mounting terminals on opposing sides of the bulb in electrical contact with the ends of the filament, the outer surface of the terminals being in engagement With the resilient members,

further means at the first and second operating positions for supplying conductive cement onto the inner surface of the terminals,

means at a third operating position for applying dielectric cement on the upper end of the bulb to interconnect the upper end of the bulb with the terminals,

a conveyor mounted adjacent the exit end of the first track for receiving the bars and extending a given distance therefrom and substantially perpendicular thereto,

means responsive to the receipt of a bar on the conveyor for advancing the conveyor a distance equal to at least the width of the bar to provide sufficient space thereon for receiving a succeeding bar,

a heated oven mounted with respect to the conveyor such that a given length of the conveyor extends through the oven for permitting each bar with the group of lamps therein a sufiicient time for drying the conductive and dielectric cements on the lamps,

an electrical treating area spaced from and disposed parallel to the conveyor,

a guide extending from a position adjacent the exit portion of the conveyor to a position adjacent the entrance end of the treating area,

means for advancing successive bars with the lamps thereon from the conveyor and along the guide into the entrance end of the treating area,

a unit mounted adjacent the entrance end of the electrical treating area operable for moving the bars fed thereto laterally in said area a distance substantially equal to the width of a bar,

means for operating said moving unit,

a high voltage circuit having conductive contacts in a portion of the electrical treating area for contacting the conductive members of the bars during predetermined intervals of time thereby subjecting each lamp in the bar to a high voltage surge of electrical energy,

a second track having an entrance end disposed adjacent the exit end of the electrical treating area, and

means at the exit end of the electrical treating area for intermittently advancing the bars longitudinally onto the second track.

References 'Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,955,794 4/ 34 Du Mont et al 316-27 2,280,448 4/42 Pfeiifer 31627 2,398,340 4/46 Wilder 316-32 X 2,736,479 2/56 Mclnerney et al 198-19 2,767,675 10/56 McGowan 324-20 X FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL BERNSTEIN, Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR FINISHING LAMPS EACH OF WHICH INCLUDES A BULB HAVING A FILAMENT THEREIN HAVING ENDS EXTENDING TO EXTERNAL OPPOSING SIDES OF THE BULBS, AND WHEREIN THE BULBS ARE SUPPORTED BY ELONGATED BARS HAVING A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF RESILIENT MEMBERS FOR ENGAGING THE BULBS COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF SPACED OPERATING POSITIONS, A TRACK EXTENDING ADJACENT THE SPACED OPERATING POSITIONS, MEANS FOR SUCCESSIVELY FEEDING THE BARS LATERALLY INTO AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE TRACK, MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY MOVING THE BARS LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE TRACK TO THE SPACED OPERATING POSITIONS, MEANS AT FIRST AND SECOND OPERATING POSITIONS FOR MOUNTING TERMINALS ON OPPOSING SIDES OF THE BULB IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH THE ENDS OF THE FILAMENT, THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE TERMINALS BEING IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RESILIENT MEMBERS, 